I cleaned a campsite thread

[Minivanmotoman]

View attachment 19929

June 21, 2018, Kaibab NF, AZ.
Cleaned up trash around campsite.
Toilet paper, beer cans and bottles, paper plates, misc....

You may ask why? 
To show that we leave it better than we found it.
There are 10x if not more as many viewers as members, maybe BLM & USFS?
Let's show that actions speak louder than words.

Anyone else care to add to this thread by example as well? 
What would it say if we have 100s or 1000s of testimonials of cleanup efforts recorded? Goodwill for the tribe.


Be a decent member of the human race,
make the world a better place.

 

[QinReno]

Good for you. I always pick up little crap scattered around the campsites that I stay at. As a life-long backpacker ... it's always "Leave No Trace". As a matter of fact, on a recent trip, I cleaned up a massive amount of crap left by the previous occupants - indeed a "famous" youtuber who makes his living telling people how to do this and that. One day I will run into him, LOL. See the post,
https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=30528&pid=388301#pid388301

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Great stuff, and many of us do.
Now if you could post a date and forest location with maybe a pic, would be definitive proof specic to add to the tribes steward and care of the land which we use.
I see that my pic of trash did not upload as I am in wonky cell service area. Will add shortly when in better range.
Any others with date and BLM or USFS area specfics of recent cleanups?

Let's not be silent, wait for others or closures to show that we are doing what we can to leave it better than we found it.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have been doing this for 30 years. before that I really didn't notice a problem except on rare occasions. the problem seems to progressively be getting worse and worse. highdesertranger

 

[QinReno]

Oh, I should add that the "famous" youtuber I mentioned was certainly not Bob, our godfather, who I am sure would never ever leave any sort of mess. Every time I see Bob in a video, I always perceive a nice white halo around his head, .

 

[Minivanmotoman]

This is the sum total of strewn litter that I picked up in a 200*200 area of which more than 30+ incidences of toilet paper.

Wouldn't it have been nicer for all if there was only this?

 

[LathrenJames]

Nice Job.  :heart:

 

[QinReno]

I don't carry a camera, but here are pictures of the locale. Why anyone would want to despoil this place, like the locals with their bottles blasted by semi-automatic weapons, and chocolate pudding for brains, is beyond me.
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/des...r-hiking-access-via-blm-land-end-32959764.jpg

- close by, but I didn't know about this place:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2010/04/directions_map_for_blms_new_sc.html

 

[Moxadox]

Yay! I got one of those picker-upper gadgets so I don't have to touch the crap (literally). Actually, I found a package of two in Costco and gave one to a friend. I love your idea of posting photos of the garbage we pick up, and the beautiful clean campsites we leave behind! We definitely need the good PR.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[regis101]

I'm all in.. I do this also. A yard rake and bristle broom have always been in my quiver.

 

[frater secessus]

Yay!  I got one of those picker-upper gadgets

Same here.  I pick up litter out of habit (army, boy scouts, geocaching habits) but am too old to bend over for each piece now.

 

[vanman2300]

I pick up trash as well. But have to use small easily disposable bags. Any ideas where a larger 13 gallon trash bag can be disposed of without getting in trouble for theft of services?

 

[QinReno]

I pick up trash as well. But have to use small easily disposable bags. Any ideas where a larger 13 gallon trash bag can be disposed of without getting in trouble for theft of services?

I had this problem with a 13-gallon bag full of trash that was left by the previous team by the Deschutes river in Oregon, and which I picked up (not counting the other 18 beer bottles and 20 beer cans). The bag hung for several days on a tree, until I finally gave up and stuffed it in a garbage container in the Walmart parking lot in Redmond. Interestingly, my local Walmart has only one container right near the front door, but the Walmart in Redmond has them scattered all over the parking lot. No doubt they are used to RVers leaving bags of trash, and this way, they aren't just left on the ground.

Afterwards, I moved to some organized campgrounds in the NF, and they usually had dumpsters where bags that size can be deposited. I'm sure the NF Service is happy to not have the bags simply dumped on the ground.

 

[vanman2300]

I had this problem with a 13-gallon bag full of trash that was left by the previous team by the Deschutes river in Oregon, and which I picked up (not counting the other 18 beer bottles and 20 beer cans). The bag hung for several days on a tree, until I finally gave up and stuffed it in a garbage container in the Walmart parking lot in Redmond. Interestingly, my local Walmart has only one container right near the front door, but the Walmart in Redmond has them scattered all over the parking lot. No doubt they are used to RVers leaving bags of trash, and this way, they aren't just left on the ground.

Afterwards, I moved to some organized campgrounds in the NF, and they usually had dumpsters where bags that size can be deposited. I'm sure the NF Service is happy to not have the bags simply dumped on the ground.

Thx. That's a good suggestion especially NF CGs. I remember they have dumpsters and the hosts don't/can't monitor them very well.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Another campsite and area cleaned, doing my part to leave it better than I found out and doing my part as a member of this group to be a Steward of nature and our forests.

Picked up three shopping bags of beer cans, toilet paper, shells and box, etc...


July 31, Coconino Forest

 

[bullfrog]

Almost any of the launch ramps at major lakes have several dumpstsers. The ones here even have recycle trailers. Also special racks and containers for batteries and used oil, appliances get set beside the dumpster, as well as items to big to go inside. All of these get dumped several times a day.

 

[highdesertranger]

thanks mini van. highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

Thanks Minivanmotoman, almost any visitor center on any federal lands will furnish bags and let you know where you can deposit them for pickup if you ask. If you get up around Bullfrog Utah ( Northern part of Glen Canyon Rec Area) before November PM me and I'll make sure you get thanked proper.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Interesting, didn't know that. Thx bullfrog.
Imho, litter and garbage is the most important issue for us all.
This will be the main reason/excuse that forests and dispersed campsites will be closed down. It will affect all of us directly and impact negatively our opportunities and potential sites.

There should be more done individually and collectively, not just picking up the trash but implementing a program of awareness, interaction, communication and support. The topic isn't as interesting as cheap internet access or van buildout, but none of that will matter if we don't raise awareness and improve the status quo.

Once we lose access, will be impossible or next to impossible to regain. Yes, it is a major societal issue that no one likes to deal with and NIMBY, but we MUST do something collectively to raise awareness and build a great reputation.

This is my small way. If we all do a little, post on here, build momentum, keep at it, support and pitch in, it's a start.

 

[bullfrog]

Cleaning up campsites in government campsites and lands, especially when their information offices get a hold of it, can get it recognized in all their web sites and publications if that is what's desired. The Trash Tracker volunteer program uses thousands of dollars to give people a chance to help clean up Lake Powell and has a waiting list. Check it out on the Glen Canyon Rec Area web site. Government agencies cann't begin to take care of developed areas never the less dispersed camping areas. They have organized cleanup days in almost every park and groups are reconized. Most agencies if they know your one of the people that care will bend over backwards to get volunteer help especially if your self contained and all they have to do is give you a campsite. I've taken groups out on the lake to ruins to police trails for a half day then spent the other half showing them the sites people pay captain/guides hugh amounts to see. All you have to do is work with the Interpretive staff at the visitor's center or if you have other skills the Maintenance department. Yes you will have a safety class but all safety equipment will be furnished if you let them know in advance. People volunteer so infrequently in remote areas there are usually some problems getting it done, but it can be if you work at it. Housing is usually the biggest hang up and most of us got that. By the way you can earn a free yearly parks pass after working so many hours of volunteer hours as well.